Estevanico: First African Explorer in North America

Although varied versions reflect the life and death of Estevanico, I have read and compared several sources and will do my best to give you what I have weeded out as the most common thread of truth.

Estevanico was born in 1490 in Azemmour, Morrocco, North Africa during the war between the Arabs, Spanish, and Portuguese. He was raised Muslim and converted to Roman Catholicism at the age of 13 when he was captured as a slave by the Portuguese. In 1520 Estevanico was sold as a Personal Slave to a Spanish Nobleman, Infantryman, and Explorer named Andres Dorantes de Carranza.

Estevanico, Andres Dorantes de Carranza, Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca, and Alonso del Castillo Maldonado were said to be the first non-natives to traverse North America, with Estevanico being the first African to set foot on American soil